Shearwall structure and method of making the same

ABSTRACT

A shearwall structure, enhancement product and method of making a shearwall structure in which the shearwall includes a stud wall structure, a sheathing panel and corner brackets applied to the corners and edges of the sheathing panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Art

[0002] The present invention relates generally to shearwall structuresand methods of making a shearwall structure and more specifically to ashearwall enhancement product and method of using the same to constructa shearwall structure.

[0003] 2. The Prior Art

[0004] Shearwalls or shearwall structures are essentially walls thathave been reinforced and tied down to a foundation or other basestructure for the purpose of resisting lateral forces. Shearwallstructures are prevalent in high risk seismic and wind zones such asthose in California and the southeastern coastal areas and in othergeographical areas where there is a probability of earthquakes and/orhigh winds. Shearwalls are intended to absorb or resist lateral forcesapplied to a wall panel or section of the wall structure. The ability ofa wall panel or section to resist a lateral force is directly related tothe dimensions of such wall panel or section. Specifically, increasingthe height and decreasing the width of a wall panel or section willreduce the lateral force resistance. Likewise, reducing the height andincreasing the width of the wall panel or section will increase thelateral force resistance. In evaluating the ability of a wall panel orsection to resist lateral forces, the ratio of its height to its widthis determined. This ratio is referred to as the “aspect” ratio. Thus,the “aspect” ratio for a wall section which is 4 feet wide and 8 feethigh would be 2:1, while the aspect ratios for wall sections which are 2feet wide and 8 feet high or 3 feet wide and 8 feet high would be ratiosof 4:1 and 8:3, respectively. The lower the aspect ratio for a givenwall section, the greater its ability to resist lateral forces.

[0005] Two basic types of shearwalls currently exist to resist lateralforces in wall sections. One is a “site built” shearwall in which a woodbased sheathing panel is connected to a stud wall section via nails orscrews with all of the work done at the building site. The ability ofthis sheathing panel and its associated stud wall construction to resistlateral forces is a function of the thickness and grade of the sheathingpanel, the nail size, pattern and density connecting the wood basedpanel to the stud structure and the aspect ratio of the wall section.Sheathing panels commonly comprise sheets of plywood, oriented strandboard, chipboard and the like.

[0006] A second type of shearwall is a prefabricated or factory builtshearwall in which the entire wall section is prebuilt at the factory tomeet certain lateral force resistance specifications. It is estimatedthat a prefabricated or factory built shearwall can run as much as tentimes or more the cost per lineal foot of construction as a “site built”shearwall. Examples of prefabricated shearwall structures disclosed inthe prior art are the shearwall structures shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,706,626; 5,729,950 and 6,067,769 in which the structures are formed ofmetal. Another prefabricated shearwall structure comprises aconventional wood structure in which the edges of a wooden sheathingpanel are reinforced by metal strips or channels.

[0007] Regulations and building codes currently exist for certainseismic zones which prohibit the building of “site built” shearwallswith an aspect ratio greater than a certain value (such as 2:1). Thus,to comply with these regulations and codes, the builder is required toinstall prefabricated, factory built shearwall panels for wall sectionsgreater than such aspect ratio. While some effort has been made toenhance factory built shearwalls to meet the requirements of the variousbuilding codes and regulations which exist, little if anything has beendone to enhance “site built” shearwalls other than increasing thesheathing panel thickness, increasing or altering the nail patternand/or density, etc.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a shearwallenhancement product for “on site” shearwalls and for a shearwallenhancement product by which the lateral force resistance of a wallsection or panel can be improved at the construction site, by thebuilder, without increasing the thickness of the sheathing panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In contrast to the prior art, the present invention provides ashearwall enhancement product by which the lateral force resistance of awall section or panel can be significantly increased “on site” by thebuilder without changing or increasing the thickness of the sheathingpanel.

[0010] Specifically, the shearwall enhancement product of the presentinvention includes a plurality of edge sections designed for connectionto the peripheral edges of a conventional sheathing panel and aplurality of corner brackets which are designed for connection to thecorners of a conventional sheathing panel.

[0011] More specifically, each of the edge sections comprises agenerally channel shaped configuration defined by inner and outer legs.The outer leg of the channel includes a plurality of nailing holes forreceiving fasteners such as nails, screws or the like, with suchfasteners extending through both channel legs, through the sheathingpanel and into the wooden stud of the wall structure. Each of the cornerbrackets includes a pair of channel shaped edge sections and a webportion extending between and interconnecting such edge sections. Eachcorner edge section is provided with a plurality of fastener holes toreceive corresponding fasteners which are designed to extend throughboth legs of such edge sections, through the sheathing panel and intothe stud of the wall section.

[0012] The method of constructing a shearwall in accordance with thepresent invention includes providing a stud wall structure having a soleplate, a top plate and a plurality of studs extending between the soleplate and the top plate. The method further includes providing asheathing panel having a plurality of peripheral edge sections andcorners at the intersections of adjacent peripheral edge sections andapplying a corner bracket to one or more of the corners and a peripheraledge bracket section to one or more of the peripheral edges. Finally,such method includes attaching the sheathing panel, with the cornerbrackets and edge brackets applied, to the stud wall structure withnails, screws or other fasteners or connecting means.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the shearwall enhancement product ofthe present invention, the edge brackets and/or the corner brackets areprovided with means for retaining the edge and/or corner brackets on thesheathing panel before it is connected with the stud wall structure. Inthe preferred embodiment, this means may include any means that iscapable of performing this retaining function such as, but not limitedto, inwardly extending protrusions such as dimples or tabs along atleast one of the channel legs.

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea shearwall enhancement product.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide ashearwall enhancement product which can be installed “on site” by thebuilder.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide ashearwall enhancement product by which the lateral force resistance andstiffness of a wall section can be significantly increased withoutincreasing the thickness of the sheathing panel.

[0017] A still further object of the present invention is to provide ashearwall structure including such shearwall enhancement product.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a methodfor constructing a shearwall on the building site.

[0019] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent with reference to the drawings, the description of thepreferred embodiment and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a shearwall structure comprising apair of enhanced shearwall panels connected with a stud wall structurein accordance with the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is an elevational front view of the stud wall structure ofthe shearwall structure of FIG. 1 with the sheathing panels removed.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a view, partially in section as viewed along the sectionline 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a further shearwall structureembodying the shearwall enhancement product of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 5 is an elevational view from the inside of the shearwallstructure shown in FIG. 4, but without holdown hardware.

[0025]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an enhanced sheathing panel inaccordance with the present invention prior to installation on the studwall structure of FIG. 4.

[0026]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a corner bracket.

[0027]FIG. 8 is an elevational plan view of the material blank fromwhich the corner bracket of FIG. 7 is made.

[0028]FIG. 9 is a view, partially in section, of an edge portion of thecorner bracket as viewed along the section line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

[0029]FIG. 10 is a view, partially in section, of a portion of the websection of the corner bracket as viewed along the section line 10-10 ofFIG. 7.

[0030]FIG. 11 is an isometric, fragmentary view of the edge bracket inaccordance with the present invention.

[0031]FIG. 12 is an elevational plan view of the metal blank from whichthe edge bracket of FIG. 1I is constructed.

[0032]FIG. 13 is a view, partially in section, of the edge bracket asviewed along the section line 13,13 of FIG. 11.

[0033]FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view showing one embodiment of aretaining means in the form of a dimple.

[0034]FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of aretaining means.

[0035]FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the retaining means of FIG.15.

[0036]FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a further retaining means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 showing an assembled shearwallor shearwall structure 10 and to FIG. 2 showing the stud wall structureof the shearwall 10 prior to application of the sheathing panel. In thestructure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stud wall structure includes anouter face and comprises a sole plate 11, a top plate 12, a pair of endposts 14,14, a center stud 15 and a plurality of intermediate studs 16.The end posts 14 and the studs 15 and 16 are parallel to one another andextend between the sole plate 11 and top plate 12 and are interconnectedwith such plates in a conventional manner. In the specific embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the end posts 14,14 are nominally 4 inches thick (actual3½ inches), the center stud 15 is nominally 3 inches thick (actual 2½inches) and the studs 16 are nominally 2 inches thick (actual 1½inches). The sole plate 11 is nominally 3 inches thick (actual 2½inches), while the top plate is a 2 ply of nominally 2 inch thick lumber(actual 1½ inches). It is understood that the various posts, studs andplates can be of various dimensions and what are shown and referred toas posts or end posts, could be referred to and considered as studs. Asshown in FIG. 2, the end posts 14 are provided with holdown anchorassemblies 18 to tie the posts 14 into the concrete foundation or othersubstrate 20, while the sole plate 11 is provided with a plurality ofanchor bolts 19 which extend through the sole plate 11 in conventionalmanner and are anchored into the concrete foundation or other substrate20.

[0038] The shearwall structure of FIG. 1 includes the stud wallstructure of FIG. 2 and the shearwall enhanced sheathing panels inaccordance with the present invention. Specifically, the shearwallstructure of FIG. 1 includes a pair of generally rectangular-shapedsheathing panels 21 and 22. Each of the sheathing panels includes a pairof parallel vertical side edges, parallel top and bottom edges and innerand outer parallel faces. Each of the inner side edges of the panels 21and 22 is provided with an edge bracket section 24, and each of theouter side edges of the panels 21 and 22 is provided with a further edgebracket section 25. Each of the top and bottom edges of the panels 21and 22 is provided with an edge bracket section 26 and each of theperipheral or outside corners of the panels 21 and 22 is provided with acorner bracket 28. As will be discussed below, the edge bracket sections24, 25 and 26 and the corner brackets 28 and the sheathing panels 21 and22 are connected with the stud wall structure of FIG. 2 via nails orscrews.

[0039]FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a further embodiment of a shearwallstructure. As shown best in FIG. 5, the stud wall structure of thisfurther embodiment includes a sole plate 29, a top plate 30, a pair ofend posts or studs 31,31 and a pair of intermediate studs 32,32. Theenhanced sheathing panel is shown best in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. FIG. 4shows the enhanced sheathing panel connected to the stud wall structure,while FIG. 6 shows the inside of the sheathing panel with the edge andcorner brackets attached. The enhanced sheathing panel of this furtherembodiment includes a conventional sheathing panel 34 with a pair ofparallel side edges, parallel top and bottom edges and inner and outerparallel faces. A pair of edge bracket sections 35,35 are connected withthe side edges of the panel 34 and a pair of edge bracket sections 36,36are applied to the top and bottom edges of the panel 34. Each corner ofthe panel 34 is provided with a corner bracket 28. Like the enhancedsheathing panels of FIG. 1, the enhanced sheathing panel of FIG. 4 isconnected with the stud wall section by a plurality of nails, screws orother similar connecting means.

[0040] Reference is next made to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 illustrating the detailsof the corner bracket 28. Each corner bracket 28 includes a pair ofcorner edge sections 39 and 40 and a web section 41. The web 41 isintegrally formed with each of the edge sections 39 and 40 and spans thearea between such edge sections 39 an 40. Thus, the web 41 interconnectsthe edge sections 39 and 40. An open corner area 42 is provided at theextended intersection of the edge sections 39 and 40. In the preferredembodiment, the edge sections 39 and 40 lie in a common plane and arepositioned at 90° relative to one another. It is contemplated that theedge sections 39 and 40 could be interconnected by a structure otherthan the web 41.

[0041] As shown best in FIGS. 7 and 9, each of the peripheral edgesections 39 and 40 comprises a channel or U-shaped configuration havingan open channel area or panel receiving cavity 44 defined by first andsecond or outer and inner generally parallel legs 45 and 48 and a baseor base leg 46 extending between the legs 45 and 48. The leg 45 isintegrally joined along its base edge with the base leg 46 and includesa free edge 47 which extends outwardly at right angles from the base leg46. The leg 48 is also integrally connected along its base edge with thebase 46 and extends outwardly at right angles from the base 46 and isintegrally formed with the web 41. Although FIG. 9 is a cross-section ofa portion of the corner edge section 39, the edge section 40 ispreferably of the same cross-sectional configuration and structure.

[0042] The corner edge sections 39 and 40 each include an outer end 49and 50 and an inner end 51 and 52, respectively. As shown, the innerends 51 and 52 are adjacent to the open corner area 42. Each of the legs45 of the edge sections 39 and 40 is provided with a plurality ofnailing openings 54. The nailing openings 54 in the preferred embodimentare longitudinally spaced along the length of the sections 39 and 40.Alternate nailing patterns can, however, be provided. The leg section 48is free of nailing holes, although such holes could be provided ifdesired.

[0043] The web 41 is generally planar and is integrally joined alongeach of its sides with the legs 48 of the edge sections 39 and 40. Thus,the web 41 is essentially an extension of the legs 48,48 and spans thearea between them. The web 41 includes an inner or corner edge 43defining a portion of the open area 42 and a free edge 55 extendingbetween the ends 48 and 50 of the edge sections 39 and 40. As shown bestin FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, the web 41 is provided with a plurality ofembossed stiffening ribs 56 to provide structural rigidity and strengthto the web 41. The ribs 56 are of various lengths depending on theirposition on the web and extend at a right angle to the free edge 55 andat approximately a 45 degree angle relative to the edge sections 39 and40. The web 41 is provided with a plurality of nail holes 58 to retainthe corner bracket 28 relative to the sheathing panel. If desired, otherretaining means such as those shown in FIGS. 11-17 may also be providedto one of the corner edge sections.

[0044]FIG. 8 illustrates the material blank from which the cornerbracket 28 is constructed. Preferably, the corner bracket is constructedof galvanized steel such as 20 gauge Galv ASTM A365. However, it can bemade from other materials and from other thicknesses and types of steelprovided those other materials provide the desired strength to thecorner bracket when formed. The corner bracket can be of various sizesand configurations although the preferred embodiment provides a bracketin which each of the edge sections 39 and 40 are about the same length.Advantages of the present invention could, however, be achieved with astructure in which the sections 39 and 40 are of different lengths. Thecommon use of a corner bracket to enhance a shearwall in accordance withthe present invention will usually be a structure in which the sections39 and 40 are positioned at right angles to one another. However,advantages of the present invention will still be achieved with astructure in which the sections 39 and 40 are at other angles relativeto one another.

[0045] Preferably, the length of the edge sections 39 and 40 should befrom about 5 to 20 inches, more preferably from about 10 to 20 inchesand most preferably from about 12 to 16 inches. The distance between thelegs 45 and 48, and thus the width of the base leg 46, shouldapproximate the thickness of the sheathing panel being used. Thispermits the corners of the sheathing panel to be received by the panelreceiving cavity 44 when assembled. To assist in retaining the bracketin the panel corners, the cavity width may be slightly smaller than thepanel thickness. The height of the leg 45 may vary, but preferably is atleast about one-half inch and more preferably from one-half to 1½ inchesor more.

[0046] Reference is next made to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 showing variousviews of the edge bracket 33 from which the various edge bracketsections are cut. As illustrated best in FIGS. 11 and 13, the edgebracket 33 is a generally elongated U-shaped or channel member having apair of laterally spaced legs 60 and 61 and a base leg 62. The leg 60 isthe outer leg of the edge bracket 33 and includes a base edge 64 and afree edge 65. The leg 60 is joined to the base leg 62 along the baseedge 64 and extends outwardly from the base leg 62 at substantiallyright angles and terminates at the free edge 65. The leg 60 is providedwith a plurality of nailing holes 66 which are spaced longitudinallyalong the leg 60. A variety of nailing patterns may be utilized.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the leg 60 is also provided with anedge bracket retaining means in the form of a plurality of edge bracketretaining members such as the protrusions 68. As shown in FIGS. 11-14,the leg 60 is provided with a plurality of inwardly extendingprotrusions or dimples 66. As will be described in greater detail below,these protrusions 68 function to assist in retaining the edge bracket 33to the edge of the sheathing panel prior to connection of the reinforcedsheathing panel to the stud wall section. A variety of other retainingmeans can also be utilized. One alternate structure is shown in FIGS. 15and 16. This includes an inwardly extending tab 69 which is cut from theleg 60 and is bent inwardly as shown. A further structural embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 17. This embodiment is similar to that of FIGS. 15and 16 except that the cutout member 70 is bent outwardly at the point73 and then inwardly at its distal end to provide an inwardly extendingprong 71. The prong 71 may be driven into the sheathing panel afterpositioning of the bracket 33.

[0048] The leg 61 is parallel to and spaced from the leg 60 to form thepanel receiving cavity 37. The leg 61 is integrally connected with thebase leg 62 along its base edge 72 and extends outwardly from the baseleg 62 at right angles and terminates at the free edge 74.

[0049]FIG. 12 illustrates the material blank from which the edge bracket33 is constructed. Like the corner bracket 28, the edge bracket 33 ispreferably constructed of a galvanized steel material such as 20 gaugeGalv ASTM A653. Other materials and other thicknesses and types ofsteel, however, can be used if desired. In the preferred embodiment, thelegs 60 and 61 are at least about one-half inch in height and preferablyat least one-half to 2½ inches or more in height. Most preferably, theheight of the legs 60 and 61 is about 1¼ to 2-1½ inches. The width ofthe panel receiving cavity preferably approximates the thickness of thesheathing panel to be used.

[0050] Having described the details of the shear wall enhancementproduct and the resulting shear wall structure, the method of making orconstructing a shearwall structure in accordance with the presentinvention is as follows. First, a stud wall structure is constructed.This can take any desired form, but is typically a stud wall structuresuch as that shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5. Next, a sheathing panel iscut to the proper size so that it will cover the outer face of the studwall structure and its associated elements when installed. A cornerbracket 28 is then applied to each of the corners of the sheathing panelby inserting its adjacent edges into the channels or panel receivingcavities 44 formed by the leg sections 45 and 48 of each edge section 39and 40. In this application, the web 41 is positioned adjacent to theinner surface of the panel. If desired or needed, the corner brackets 28can be retained to the sheathing panel by fasteners through the holes 58of the web 41.

[0051] Edge bracket sections are then applied or cut and applied to eachexposed edge of the sheathing panel by inserting the sheathing paneledge into the channel or panel receiving cavity 37 formed by the legs 60and 61. When inserted, the inwardly protruding dimples 66 or otherretaining means engage the outer surface of the panel and assist inretaining the edge bracket section to the panel. Because of the varyinglengths of edge bracket sections that may be required, a length of edgebracket stock 33 may need to be cut to the correct length beforeapplication to the sheathing panel. Preferably the edge bracket sectionsshould be applied to the entirety of the exposed panel edge betweenadjacent corner brackets 28.

[0052] Although certain benefits will be achieved in accordance with thepresent invention without having corner brackets at each corner andwithout having an edge bracket section applied to each exposed edge, itis preferable for at least one corner and at least one edge of thesheathing panel to be provided with a respective corner bracket and edgebracket section. More preferably, at least two corners and at least twoof the exposed edges should be provided with corner brackets and edgebracket sections and most preferably all four corners and all fourexposed edges of the sheathing panel should be provided with cornerbrackets and edge bracket sections. This is the preferred structureshown in the drawings.

[0053] Certain shear wall enhancement properties can also be obtained byapplying a corner bracket to each corner of a sheathing panel, withoutusing the edge bracket sections or by applying edge bracket sections toless than all of the exposed sheathing panel edges. This is particularlytrue as the length of the corner bracket edge sections 39 and 40increases or as the width of the sheathing panel decreases. For example,a sheathing panel which is 32 inches wide and 8 feet high wouldpreferably have a corner bracket 28 at each corner, but an edge bracketsection only on its two long exposed edges.

[0054] After the corner brackets and edge bracket sections have beenapplied to the sheathing panel, the enhanced sheathing panel ispositioned onto the outer face of the stud wall structure and connectedto such structure by nails or screws or other fasteners through theholes 54 in the corner brackets and the holes 66 in the edge bracketsections. These fasteners extend through the outer legs or leg sectionsof the corner or edge brackets, through the sheathing panel, through theother legs or leg sections of the corner or edge brackets and then intothe corresponding stud wall structure element. For the top edge of thesheathing panel this would be the top plate of the stud wall structure,for the bottom edge of the sheathing panel this would be the sole plateand for the side edges of the sheathing panel, this would be the endposts or other studs. To the extent there are intermediate studs betweenthe side edges of the sheathing panel, nails or screws are driventhrough the panel and into such intermediate studs.

[0055] Although the preferred application of the present invention is toapply a sheathing panel with the shearwall enhanced hardware (the edgeand/or corner brackets) to only one side of the stud wall structure, thepresent invention also contemplates applying a sheathing panel with suchshearwall enhancement hardware to both sides of the stud and framing.

[0056] Further, although some regulations may restrict certain types ofshearwall structures with certain “aspect” ratios in certain locations,nothing precludes the application of the present invention to allshearwall structures, regardless of their “aspect” ratio.

[0057] Although the description of the preferred embodiment has beenquite specific, it is contemplated that various modifications could bemade without deviating from the spirit of the present invention.Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention bedictated by the appended claims rather than by the description of thepreferred embodiment.

1. A shearwall structure comprising: a stud wall structure having anouter face; a sheathing panel having inner and outer parallel faces, aplurality of panel peripheral edges and a panel corner at theintersection of adjacent panel peripheral edges; a corner bracketapplied to at least one of said panel corners, said corner bracketincluding first and second corner edge sections for engagement withcorresponding adjacent panel peripheral edges of said at least one panelcorner, said first and second corner edge sections being interconnectedwith one another and each of said first and second corner edge sectionshaving a panel receiving channel receiving said corresponding adjacentpanel peripheral edge; and said sheathing panel being connected to saidstud wall structure with said inner face of said sheathing paneladjacent to said outer face of said stud wall structure.
 2. Theshearwall structure of claim 1 wherein said stud wall structureincludes: a sole plate; a top plate and a plurality of studs extendingbetween said sole plate and said top plate, each of said sole plate, topplate and studs having an outer face to define the outer face of saidstud wall structure.
 3. The shearwall structure of claim 1 including aplurality of said corner panels applied to a corresponding plurality ofsaid panel corners.
 4. The shearwall structure of claim 1 wherein saidfirst and second corner edge sections are interconnected by a webextending between said first and second corner edge sections.
 5. Theshearwall structure of claim 4 wherein said web is adjacent to saidinner face of said sheathing panel.
 6. The shearwall structure of claim5 wherein said panel receiving channel includes a pair of spaced legsjoined with a base leg.
 7. The shearwall structure of claim 6 whereinsaid web is joined with one of said spaced legs.
 8. The shearwallstructure of claim 1 including an edge bracket applied to a portion ofat least one of said panel peripheral edges, said edge bracket includinga panel receiving channel receiving said at least one panel peripheraledge portion.
 9. The shearwall structure of claim 8 including a cornerbracket located at each of said panel corners and an edge bracketlocated along a portion of each of said panel peripheral edges.
 10. Acorner bracket for selective connection to a panel corner of a sheathingpanel of the type having front and back parallel faces, a plurality ofpanel peripheral edges, and a plurality of panel corners at theintersection of adjacent panel peripheral edges, said corner bracketcomprising: first and second corner edge sections oriented at 90°relative to one another, each of said first and second corner edgesections including a pair of legs and a base defining a panel receivingchannel; and a web joining said first and second corner edge sections.11. The corner bracket of claim 10 wherein said pair of legs includes aninner leg and an outer leg.
 12. The corner bracket of claim 11 whereinsaid inner leg is joined to said web.
 13. The corner bracket of claim 12wherein said outer leg is provided with a plurality of nailing holes.14. The corner bracket of claim 13 wherein said web is provided with atleast one stiffening rib.
 15. A shearwall enhancement product forconnection to the panel corners and panel peripheral edges of asheathing panel comprising the combination of the corner bracket ofclaim 10 and an edge bracket, said edge bracket comprising: a panelreceiving channel defined by an outer leg, an inner leg and a base leg,said outer leg including a plurality of nailing holes.
 16. An edgebracket for selective connection to a panel peripheral edge of asheathing panel of the type having front and back parallel faces, aplurality of panel peripheral edges, and a plurality of panel corners atthe intersection of adjacent panel peripheral edges, said edge bracketcomprising: a channel member having a panel receiving channel to receivea panel peripheral edge, said receiving channel defined by an outer legand an inner leg; a base leg joining said outer and inner legs; aplurality of nailing openings in said outer leg; and at least oneretention member located in at least one of said inner and outer legs.17. The edge bracket of claim 16 wherein said at least one retentionmember includes a plurality of said protrusions extending toward theother of said inner and outer legs.
 18. A method of constructing ashearwall comprising: providing a stud wall structure having an outerface; providing a sheathing panel having inner and outer parallel faces,a plurality of panel peripheral edges and a panel corner at theintersection of adjacent panel peripheral edges; applying a cornerbracket to at least one of said panel corners, each of said cornerbrackets comprising first and second interconnected channel members toreceive the adjacent panel peripheral edges of said at least one panelcorner; and attaching said sheathing panel with applied corner bracketto said wall structure so that the inner face of said sheathing panel isadjacent to the outer face of said stud wall structure.
 19. The methodof claim 18 including applying an edge bracket to at least one of saidpanel peripheral edges, each of said edge brackets comprising a channelmember to receive said at least one panel peripheral edge.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 including applying a corner bracket to a plurality ofsaid panel corners and applying an edge bracket to a plurality of saidperipheral edge sections.